A report on Pharmacognostical and quality control parameters of stem and root of Cressa cretica Linn, Convolvulaceae

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621

Research Article ISSN: 0974-6943

Available online through http://jprsolutions.info

A report on Pharmacognostical and quality control parameters of stem and root of Cressa cretica Linn, Convolvulaceae Sudhir Chaudhary*1, R.L Khosa2, Priyank1, Sangeeta Rani 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, MIET, Meerut(U.P), India 2 School of Pharmacy , BIT ,Meerut (U.P),India 3 Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, TMU, Moradabad(U.P), India 1

Received on:06-10-2011; Revised on: 17-11-2011; Accepted on:25-12-2011 ABSTRACT Cressa cretica L. belongs to family Convolvulaceae is a halophyte which grows in coastal areas and is used in indigenous system of medicine as tonic, antibilious, expectorant, antidiabetic and aphrodisiac and in a number of other ailments. Present study is an effort to establish the pharmacognostical and quality control parameters for its standardization and commercial use in herbal drug industry. Presence of cortical fibers in stem, starch grain filled vesicles and aerenchyma in the root, paracytic and anomocytic stomata, along with shape, size and length of the fibers which are some of the distinguishing characters observed in this plant Key Words: Cressa cretica L., anatomy, inflammation, diabetes INTRODUCTION Cressa cretica L. belongs to the Convolvulaceae family is a remarkable salt tolerant plant, common in coastal areas1 It is known as Rudanti in indigenous system of medicine in India and Molleih or Nadewa in Arabic2. It is reported to be antibilious, antitubercular ,antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic and expectorant. The plant is used as alterative, anthelmintic, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, enriches the blood and is useful in constipation, leprosy, asthma and urinary discharges. The plant is traditionally used in Bahrain as expectorant and antibilious agent3,4,5,6. The phytochemical constituents of Cressa cretica have not well been investigated and only a few reports exist of the isolation of coumarins, sterols and quercetin glycosides with unidentified sugars and high salt content,7,8,9. Phytochemical screening of the plant growing in Qatar revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins and sterols10. In view of the medicinal importance of C.cretica we undertook a systematic study to establish parameters for its identification and characterization based on pharmacognostical and quality control parameters.

stored until further use, in an air tight container. Free hand sections were taken for microscopical evaluation and studies were conducted as per standard methods11,, Iodine, Potassium iodide (IKI) & Aniline Blue in lactophenol was used for differential staining along with Phloroglucinol & HCl 12,13. Concentrated nitric acid (50%) with a pinch of potassium chlorate was used as the macerating fluid. Powdered drug was used for powder microscopy, moisture content, ash values, swelling index, foaming index, foreign organic matter, extractive values were carried out14,15 and fluorescence studies were carried out by treating 0.5 gm of powdered drug with different reagent and observation in colour was made in visible light, U.V light of short (254nm) and long wavelength (365nm) under U.V chamber 16. Preliminary Phytochemical screening was carried out as per standard procedure17,18. Photomicrographs were obtained by compound binocular microscope OLYMPUS BX41and photomicrography was done using Olympus C7070 camera. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

MATERIAL AND METHODS The shade dried whole plant of Cressa cretica L. Convolvulaceae was collected from the sandy shores along the mangrove creeks near Devanampattinam Beach, Cuddalore district in Tamilnadu and authenticated (specimen number74052) by taxonomist Dr K.Ravikumar FRLHT Bangalore. A voucher specimen was preserved in the department of pharmacognosy MIET, Meerut for further reference. For Pharmacognostical studies plant material was stored in a solution containing 5ml formaldehyde, 5ml acetic acid and 90 ml 70% alcohol and rest of remaining plant material was further size reduced and

*Corresponding author. Sudhir Chaudhary, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, MIET, Meerut,(U.P), India

Macroscopic characters C. cretica L. is an erect, small, dwarf shrub Roots are horizontal, geminate, with lateral branches leading upward to produce above-ground parts. It is a perennial sub shrub or herb, usually much-branched. Stems are at first erect and then become decumbent, apparently short-lived, gray appressed pilose to sericeous. Leaves on main branches are often larger than those on branchlets, the blade 1-12 mm long, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic- to scale-like, sessile, or shortly petiolate.. Flowers are solitary, white or pink, axillary, 5-8 mm long, sessile or on short peduncles, bracteates, in spicate to head-like clusters at tips of branchlets, bracteoles unequal in length. Sepals ovate to obovate imbricate. Corolla salver form, the limb 5-lobed, the lobes mostly ovate, imbricate, spreading to reflexed. Stamens exserted; filaments filiform; styles exserted. Ovary 2-locular, 4-ovulate; styles 2, distinct to the base; stigmas capitate. Fruit is capsular, ovoid, unilocular, 2-4-valved, and usually oneseeded. Seeds are 3-4 mm long, glabrous and smooth, and shining to reticulate, dark brown 19, 20, 21.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621

Microscopic characters Transverse section of the stem of Cressa cretica on differential staining with I,KI & aniline blue (Fig-3) depicts the single celled epidermis consisting of oval & barrel shaped cells measuring 14-21µ which is cellulosic in nature and takes a blue stain on treatment with I,KI & dilute H2SO4.Epidermis is followed by 1-2 celled hypodermis almost similar to that of epidermis, next to hypodermis is cortex 2-3 layered which consist of thin walled , loosely arranged large parenchymatous cells which are polygonal, tangentially elongated and fusiform in shape. In the cortex lies the bundle of cortical fibers consisting of 3-5 fibers and each measuring 10-16 µ in diameter.

Next to cortex lies the phloem region which takes deep blue stain with IKI and aniline blue thus depicting the callsoe plugs of sieve tubes. Next to phloem region is lignified xylem region consisting of vessels scattered throughout the ground tissue. The centrally located pith consists of thin walled parenchymatous cells. The epidermal cells contain starch grains which are depicted in (Fig-4). T.S of the root consist of hairs covering the entire epidermal region, epidermis consist of dark brown coloured 2-3 layered cork cells followed by the

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621

cortical region consisting of large number of spherical or subspherical vesicles filled with starch grains which takes blue colour on treatment with I,KI, and aniline blue(Fig-6). Cortex also contains aerenchyma having large intercellular spaces which is commonly seen in plants growing in water logged soil and it occurs due to deficiency of oxygen which causes the production of ethylene leading to the programmed cell death of some tissue leading to creation of large intercellular spaces22.

Next to cortex region is the light brown coloured phloem region which (Fig5) stains light blue with I, KI and aniline blue (fig-6). Next to Phloem region is xylem consisting of xylem vessels scattered in the entire lignified ground tissue and biserate medullary rays extending from the pith up to the phloem region (fig-6). Powder study of the stem and root reveals the fibers (Fig-7) which are spindle shaped with a wide lumen and oblique pits and measures 270-350µ in length and 10-16µ in diameter. Some trachedial fiber measuring 200 µ-300 µ are also observed (Fig-8).Vessels with scalariform and simple pits are also observed (Fig-9, 10).

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621

Powder Characteristics Fig.7. Fibers , Fig.8.Trachedial fibers , Fig.9. Vessels

Microscopical study to the leaf of Cressa cretica reveals it isobilateral nature with palisade cells on both the upper and lower surfaces and covering trichomes on the upper surface of the leaf (fig-11) along with paracytic and anomocytic stomata which are found evenly dispersed in the measophyll of the leaf (Fig-12).

Physicochemical analysis Air dried materials was used for quantitative determination of physicochemical values. Ash value (table1), Moisture content (table2), extractive values (table3), foreign organic matter, foaming index were also performed. All these parameters were recorded for five times and written as mean+ SE.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621

assurance of plants for further studies. Fluorescence analysis of the drug powder was carried out and data is presented in the (table4). Foaming index: No foam is present. Foreign organic matter: No foreign organic matter is present.

Table1.Ash values of Cressa cretica L. Sl.No. Parameters

Values%

1 2 3

25.2%±0.50 5%±0.05 13.1%±0.60

Total ash Acid insoluble ash Water soluble ash

CONCLUSION Cressa cretica L. belongs to the Convolvulaceae is an erect, small, dwarf shrub, remarkable salt tolerant plant, and common in coastal areas commonly known as Rudravanti. Traditionally it is popular for its various medicinal properties. A significant amount of literature is available on its pharmacological properties but there are scanty reports on its pharmacognostical and quality control parameters. Morphological characters and Microscopical findings, specially presence of cortical fibers in stem, starch vesicle in the root and paracytic and anomocytic stomata in leaves, shape, length and diameter of the fibers and other parameters viz.ash values, extractive values, moisture content, foaming index, foreign organic matter, fluorescence studies will lay down the standard which will be useful for the detection of its identity , authenticity, and quality assurance for its commercial and scientific use. Thus the above findings will serve the purpose for standardization and quality control for future studies.

Table 2.Moisture content of Cressa cretica L. Sl.No

Parameters

Values%

1.

Moisture Content

1.35%±0.10

Table 3.Extractive values of Cressa cretica L. Sl.No.

Solvent

Values%(W/W)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Pet.Ether Chloroform Ethyl acetate Alcohol Chloroform water Hydroalcoholic

1.5% 3.53% 2.2% 2.73% 25% 18.67%

REFERENCES

Table 4.Flourescence studies of Cressa cretica L. Sl. No. 1 2 3

Materials/Treatment

Drug Powder Drug Powder rubbed on filter paper Powder treated with 1N NaOH in methanol 4 Powder treated with 1N NaOH in water 5 Powder treated with 1N HCL 6 Powder treated with 50% HNO3 7 Powder treated with 50% H2SO4 8 Methanolic Extract 9 Water Extract 10 Chloroform Extract 11 Petroleum Ether 12 Dragendorff’s Reagent

1.

Observations Under UV Cabinet Visible Short UV Long UV Light 254 nm 365 nm Light brown Dark brown Brown

Dark brown Dark brown Creamish yellow

Dark brown Dark brown Light yellow

Dark brown

Brown

White

Light brown Yellowish brown Brown Brown Brown Brown Light brown Brown

Brown Dark yellow Brown Dark brown No fluorescence Brown Brown Brownish black

White Light brown Brown No fluorescence Light brown Light brown Off white Dark brown

Preliminary Phytochemical analysis The phytochemical profiling of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, proteins, amino acids, phenols, tannins, gum & mucilage, glycosides and phytosterol which serves as an important tool for the quality

2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

7. 8.

9.

Satakopan S. and Karandikar G. K. Rudanti: A pharmacognostic studyCressa cretica Linn. J. Sci. Ind. Res. (1961),Section C. 20: 156-160. Tiickholm V. Students Flora of Egypt. (1974) Second edition. Chaudhary S., Khosa R.L., Jha K.K., Verma N. Pharmacologyonline. (2010), 3, 181-188. Chopra R.N., Nayar S. L. and Chopra I. C., Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, Council of Industrial Research, New Delhi, (1956), 80. Shahat .A, Abdel-AzimN.S, Hammouda F.M, Apres S., De Bruyne T., Pieters L., Vanden Berghe D. and Vlietinck A.J. (1999). 2000 Years of Natural Products Research- Past, Present & Future, Amsterdam, The Netherland Parekh J, Chanda S. In vitro screening of antibacterial activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of various Indian plant species against selected pathogens from Enterobacteriaceae. Afr J Microbiol Res (2007);1:92-9. Purushothaman K. and Kalyani K. 1974. The flavonoids of Rudanti Cressa cretica Linn, Jour. Res. Ind. Med. 9,3. 109-110. Rizk A. M. and El-Ghazaly G. A. 1995. Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Qatar, Scientific and Applied Research Centre, University of Qatar. Roa K. B, Bhat G. G. and Syamasundar J. Cressa cretica, a saltextruding plant in salt-affected soils, J. Curr. Res. (Univ. Agric. Sci. Bangalore). (1987), 7(11), 186.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621

Sudhir Chaudhary et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),616-621 10. Rizk A. M. Constituents of plants growing in Qatar, Fitoterapia (1982)52:35-44. 11. Khandelwal KR.. Practical pharmacognosy techniques and experiments. Nirali Prakashan, Pune, (2002), p.149-156. 12. Cutler.D.F, Botha.C.E.J, Stevenson.D.W, Plant anatomy: an applied Approach, Blackwell Publishing ltd U.S.A (2007),.170-194 13. Ray.F.Evert, Esau’s Plant Anatomy: Meristems cells and tissues of plant body: their structure, function and development, (3rd edition), John Wily and Sons, Inc,Hoboken , New Jersey (USA), 2006,194198. 14. Anonymous. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Vol - III, Part-I, Edition-I, New Delhi, (2001).,233-235. 15. Anonymous. British pharmacopoeia, European commission, Department of health, social services and public safety, medicine and health care predict regulations agency, New Delhi, (2010)A-2.88-2.89.

16. Chase CR, Pratt R.. Fluorescence of powdered vegetable drugs with particular reference to development of a system of identification, J Am Pharmacol Assoc. (1949), 38, 324-331. 17. Kokate CK.. Practical Pharmacognosy, 31st ed., Vallabh Prakashan, New Delhi,( 2005), p.107-113. 18. Raman N.. Phytochemical Techniques, New India publishing agency, New Delhi, (2006),19-24. 19. Ganeshaiah K N, Vasudeva R, Uma Shaanker. R. Curr. Sci. (2009), 97, 484-489. 20. Saxena HO, Brahmam M. The Flora of Orissa. Bhubaneswar: Capital Business services and consultancy; (1995), 3, 1563. 21. Warrier PK, Nambier VP, Ramankutty C. Indian medicinal plants a compendium of 500 species, New Delhi India, CSIR, Vol I, (1990), 219. 22. Ray.F.Evert, Esau’s Plant Anatomy: Meristems cells and tissues of plant body: their structure, function and development, (3rd edition), John Wily and Sons,Inc,Hoboken , New Jersey (USA), (2006),182.

Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 1.January 2012

616-621